Tomato sauce is a staple ingredient in many different cuisines around the world. Whether you’re making pizza, pasta, meatballs, or a simple tomato soup, having a quality tomato sauce is important. While it might seem easier to buy a jar of tomato sauce from the store, making it from scratch guarantees a fresh and flavorful result.
In this article, we’ll go through the steps required to make tomato sauce from scratch, including the ingredients you’ll need, the cooking methods, and some tips to help you achieve the perfect result.
Ingredients:
The ingredients needed to make tomato sauce are relatively simple. However, the quality of the ingredients you use will significantly impact the flavor of the sauce. Here are the ingredients needed to make a basic tomato sauce:
– 2-3 pounds of fresh or canned tomatoes (depending on how much sauce you want to make).
– 1 large onion, diced.
– 3 cloves of garlic, minced.
– Olive oil.
– Salt and black pepper.
– Sugar (optional).
Instructions:
Step 1: Preparing the Tomatoes
If you are using fresh tomatoes, you’ll need to start by blanching and peeling them. To do this, bring a large pot of water to a boil and prepare a bowl of ice water. Cut a small “x” in the bottom of each tomato then carefully drop them into the boiling water. After a minute or two, use a slotted spoon to transfer the tomatoes to the ice water. Once the tomatoes are cool enough to handle, peel off the skin and chop them into small pieces.
If you’re using canned tomatoes, skip this step, and use diced tomatoes or crushed tomatoes directly.
Step 2: Sauteing the Onion and Garlic
In a large pan or a saucepan, heat approximately 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic and stir them around in the oil until they are soft and translucent – this should take around five to ten minutes.
Step 3: Cooking the Tomatoes
Add the chopped tomatoes into the pan, stir to combine them with the onions and garlic, and let them cook for 30-40 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the sauce from sticking and burning on the bottom of the pan. Add salt and black pepper to taste.
Step 4: Blending the Sauce
Remove the pan from heat and let the sauce cool slightly. Then, transfer the sauce into a blender or use an immersion blender to blend the sauce until it’s smooth and creamy.
If you like chunky tomato sauce with some small pieces of tomato in it, you can skip this step.
Step 5: Finishing the Sauce
Return the blended sauce back into the pan and taste to check salt and pepper levels. Add sugar to enhance the taste if you prefer it. Simmer the sauce over low heat for an additional 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. This step is important as it helps to marry all the flavors together and gets rid of any residual bitterness.
FAQs:
1. What Is The Best Type Of Tomatoes For Making Tomato Sauce?
San Marzano or plum tomatoes are the best tomatoes to use when making tomato sauce. They are meatier and have less water content compared to other types of tomatoes, so they make a more viscous and flavorful sauce.
2. Can I Add Other Seasonings to The Tomato Sauce?
Yes, you can add additional seasonings to the tomato sauce to adjust the taste further. Some common seasonings to add to tomato sauce include oregano, basil, thyme, parsley, and red pepper flakes. You can also add chopped vegetables like zucchini, bell pepper, and eggplant to the sauce.
3. Can I Store Tomato Sauce?
Yes, you can store tomato sauce in the fridge for three to four days or freeze for up to six months. Store it in an airtight container or a jar and freeze until needed.
4. Can I Double The Recipe?
Yes, you can easily double or even triple the recipe to make a larger batch of tomato sauce. However, you need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Conclusion:
Making tomato sauce from scratch is simple and very versatile. It can be used in many different recipes and can be customized to suit your tastes. Follow these steps, add your own twist, and enjoy your homemade tomato sauce!